Sleek lines. High-performance capabilities. Eye-catching, aerodynamic design…
The specs for the latest luxury car? No, just a checklist of the recent trends in kitchen appliances and furnishings. From state-of-the-art sinks to space-conserving cabinets to scratch-resistant countertops, the latest “must-have” items and styles in kitchen renovation and décor reflect a heightened consumer demand for efficient and stylish ways to prepare and serve food.
Fortunately, the move towards high-tech doesn’t mean saying goodbye to beautiful – or cozy – kitchens; far from it. In fact, the phrase “destination kitchen” -- in which the same care is lavished on selecting luxurious details for the kitchen as you would expect to see when furnishing a living room or master bedroom -- is now in common usage. Kitchens can be design showplaces in and of themselves while sacrificing none of their graciousness and warmth.
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Flatter Clean Design with Neutrals
If there is one rule governing current design, it is that there are no rules. You can mix and match elements freely into an appealing whole, one in which the sharp contrast between white-lacquered cabinets and ebony countertops can be balanced by the warmth of a traditional hardwood floor or rustic wide-planked kitchen table.
One important guideline, however, is that the look is clean and uncluttered; this is where the new neutral hues can be your best ally. Whether used on floors, walls, countertops or backsplashes, these tasteful shades supply an effective canvas on which to express your personal style. Elegant, sophisticated gray, in all of its tones and gradations, is the runaway favorite as the newest way to showcase the stainless steel and snowily white of contemporary appliances. Light tans, beige, pale sage, light golds and cream colors also fill the bill.
Wide Open Spaces
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Gone are the days of closed floor plans for kitchens. An open, inviting design, in which the kitchen flows seamlessly into other living areas, is now the norm.
Neutral-toned, unfussy countertops are a natural for accentuating open design. Caesarstone, a leading manufacturer of engineered quartz countertops, is on point with this trend, offering a range of new, understated shades such as Oyster, Ocean Foam and Desert Limestone. One of the most popular, Linen, features an intriguing mix of gray and beige. Blizzard White allows you to access the spacious, restful appeal of white, enlivened by a hint of bright, modern sparkle. In an alternate, bolder use of neutrals, the ebony black of Caesarstone’s new Raven makes a dramatic, modern statement. Heat-, spill-, and scratch-resistant, non-porous engineered quartz countertops combine the ease of low maintenance with enduring beauty.
Other attractive countertop materials include granite, soapstone and marble. Polished, sealed concrete, with bits of glass and metal embedded for extra sparkle, offers textural and visual interest. The rich gleam of hardwood countertops can also be a pleasing alternative.
The new countertop is not only sleek and seamless-looking, but decidedly uncluttered. The trend towards built in-coffeemakers, butcher block cutting boards and pastry inserts keeps the focus on maximizing counter prep space.
Make a Splash with Backsplash
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The kitchen’s backsplash can play against the texture and color of your countertop to add dimension, drama and interest. You can create sparkle and shimmer with mirrored tiles or reclaimed glass, or utilize the new slender, rectangular backsplash tiles for a modern, streamlined look. To balance a kitchen’s ultra-contemporary feel, you could employ old-fashioned tongue and groove for a nostalgic nod towards rural décor. Or you could intensify the downtown vibe by outlining white tiles in a dark grout to mimic the brisk, urban appeal of the “subway” look.
Shapely, Sleek, and Sculptural
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The current emphasis on functionality, as well as beauty, continues with the kitchen sink and faucet styles. The current faucet is simply designed, but saved from starkness by graceful, architectural lines. High clearance and spouts that swivel a full 360 degrees allow for efficient rinsing of the largest pots and pans while the new cast-iron apron-front sinks contribute useful extra depth. Special finishes on faucets, such as brushed-nickel, can add dramatic shine and interesting texture.
Stove hoods, as well, are newly minimalist and artistic. No more blocky, boxy, boring shapes — the new hoods are simple but structural, often featuring arched, curving shapes and constructed of unconventional materials such as treated glass.
No matter which elements you choose to embrace, your renovated kitchen can be a welcoming and well-thought-out space, one that is practical, beautiful and deserving of the phrase “destination kitchen.”
About the Author:
Molly Hilton is the owner of Renaissance Painters in Toronto and has devoted more than 30 years to home renovation, painting, and custom home building. Her unique design concepts bring homes to life with colours and unique pieces that are artfully placed to draw attention to the most powerful and distinctive features of a home.
